The Best Kind of Gift

The best kind of gift is the unique, the original, the unexpected, and the kind that keeps on giving. 

A while ago, I received an email from Mike Strauss, saying, "I hope you don't mind, but I used one of your photos as the inspiration for a painting."  He attached a few images, and he was requesting permission to blog about it.

This is the original photo that appeared on my blog:

 

And here are the images of the painting in ink wash that Mike sent:

 

Would I mind?! Would I MIND!?

I was surprised and thrilled and excited, and I hoped that Mike would allow me to buy the original from him so that I could give it to Ryan for Christmas, thereby solving my gift-buying dilemma for the hand model who has everything. I fear a case of Lubriderm and cotton bed gloves just doesn't have the same kind of impact as an original painting of one's beloved little Yorkie, even if he is fostered out for the time being to the grandparents in Siberia Vermont.

Damn. 

Mike wouldn't sell it to me. 

****************

I-n-s-t-e-a-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d,

he sent it to me as a gift. Not only the original, but two prints as well.

::stunned::

I've been busting my buttons because I could not put this in the blog until the kids had received their gifts. But now they have, to much glee, and I can safely share it with you. Mike blogged about it at the time here, and I could not link to his post then, but now I can.

I can also take this opportunity to share with you a nice review of Mike's current show, ongoing until January 17, 2010, at the Emile A. Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, Vermont.   

So anyway.

I took the original painting and two prints (one for Abigail to have in her law school digs, and one for me as well) to my frame shop and chose mats and frames for them. Good framing and matting and UV-blocking glass and the whole nine yards is a rather spendy proposition, but so worth it. They turned out just gorgeous! 

It was a real learning experience, too. I'm very glad I did not just hand the prints to David, as was my original plan, and ask him to just get them unthoughtfully double-matted with black and white, and plain black frames. I told Norm at the Champlain Collection that if that ever happens, he WILL know to call me first, right? We now have a pact.

Because when I got in there to work with him -- I've worked with him for framing my prints for years -- it was clear that that would have been wrong, wrong, wrong. The original watercolor greatly benefited from a purply-charcoal grey mat, a super-white mat, and black frame to go with Ryan's decor. And the other two prints had some purply-browny-sepia-and creamy-white tones to pick up in their mats, and Norm helped me choose a fabulous metal frame that is bronzy and has some texture that echoes the curly movement of Mr. Jefferies' hair.

This is the one that is about to be hung in my living room. I was a dope and did not photograph the original ink wash piece before it was sent off to New York, but trust me -- it's beautiful. 

I fear this may be the pinnacle of my gift-giving to Abigail and Ryan, though. How can I ever top this?

Comments

[Kristin]

What a fantastic gift! I love the framing. Good framing really makes a difference even though it's god awful expensive! Lucky you to have been offered the art for free.

[Marilyn]

Sometimes the best gifts just fall in our laps unexpectedly.

[Yarndude]

How cool!

[Vicki]

That's wonderful!!

[Lisa H.]

Wonderful gift for Mr. Jefferies parents (and you, too)! You're right, these gifts will be tough to top. Merry Christmas!

[Jennifer]

Awww - that's great! I love it when good people happen to good people. It's inspiring to know that there are so many good people in the world. Thanks Norma and happy holidays.

[Geri]

What a great artist and person to give you his work! So worth the frames! They celebrate not only the specialness of Mr. J and his parents,but the generosity of the artist and his respect for you. Makes you feel all warm inside!

[marianne]

That Mike, how wonderful is he!?!?! These are beautiful, and the framing is just perfect.
WoW!

[Carole]

That's fantastic! I bet the kids are thrilled with this gift!! I am always amazed at the difference that the colors and styles frames and mats can make when framing my photographs. My brother-in-law is an artist and has a great eye for this and I try to go to him as often as I can for framing advice. He has even taught me to do some of my own matting and framing and that has been a lot of fun and cut down on the expense, too.

[Carol]

Wow! That is the best gift. Those prints are just gorgeous.

[Lynn]

That Mr. J is an inspiration to many! Merry Christmas to you and your family and followers!

[Adelaide]

Now that you have given them these beautiful portraits, you won't have to return Mr. Jefferies. Merry Christmas to Norma and family.

[Ruth]

That is just, just .... groovy. I love it.

[Becky]

What a great guy! It is so nice to be reminded that there are such generous people in the world. You don't have to top the gift in the future. It will always be there. Have a great holiday, and thanks for being there all year!

[Mike Strauss]

Holey Moley, as we chemists say. I haven't had THAT much feedback from viewers of my art since grade school days. It's great being touched by the magic wand of Norma (Knits)!! Thanks to you Norma, and all your readers for those most kind comments. My grand kids get painted each year too, but the viewing audience for those images is only their moms and dads.

[Joannah]

Love the portrait. Love the frame. It seems so appropriat the Mr. J is the focus of this year's gift giving :)

[Kym]

Perfect. Just perfect.

[Robby]

What stunning work by the artist, and thoughtful framing makes or breaks a piece, IMO. Worry about the next present later and enjoy the moment. Off to look at the artist's work.

[Angie]

Wow. Mr. S is a talented and generous artist! Framing that enhances the artwork is so worth it, in the long run.

[margene]

Both Mike and Norm do very good work! The watercolor is amazing! It's not an easy medium. The pictures are a gift to last a lifetime!

[DebbieB]

WOW. Just WOW.

Also, Merry Christmas, dear Norma.

[Cheryl S.]

How marvelous! What a special thing to have.
Merry Christmas!

[Melissa G]

Cool! When a gift like that comes along you definitely grab it knowing you've got it right for once. The best kind. Happy Holidays!

[kmkat]

Awesome. Mr. J, The Gift That Keeps On Giving (In A Good Way).

[Seanna Lea]

Those are beautiful paintings. Amazing. My watercolor work is decidedly amateur, which I would like to pretend gives me a greater appreciation of beautiful art.

[Elaine]

Wow! Michael Strauss is not only a gifted artist, but, obviously, a thoughtful, gifted person. Merry Christmas!

[Cookie]

I still love them! Mike did such a wonderful capturing the spirit of Mr J, and the framing job just makes the work stand out even more. Well done all around!

[Jean E.]

I think you may be right about the pinnacle. That is pretty much a perfect gift. Happy Holidays!!

[--Deb]

Norma, how cool is that! Mr. Jeffries must be over the moon, too. I hope it doesn't go to his head...

[elizabeth a airhart]

thank you for shareing gifts

fine fine paintings

leave the window open a crack
the little ones need to come in
christmas fairys are quite small
if you wake up and hear a party
tis them but then mayhaps
only jefferies will hear them

[Elizabeth]

I'm sure you'll think of something, you'll have a whole year to work on it.

Merry Christmas Norma! All the best for you and your family.

[Donna]

Norma - Put good kharma out there as you do with the Red Scarf Project and it comes back to you with a wonderful gift like this.

[Willem]

Mike is da (Renaissance) man!

[Sara]

Such a handsome dog!